CAPITOLA, California. – North of Sunset State Beach in Capitola, part of the Village mall was closed Monday as a precaution and other low-lying areas were also evacuated.

“All of these restaurants have been evacuated before, and people have spent a lot of money to keep these restaurants open. Hopefully there won’t be any flooding, but I know they’ve all been evacuated,” Capitola resident Devon Lincoln said.

After the National Weather Service issued a high surf warning Monday, Capitola police closed a portion of the village closest to the water, including restaurants, stores and hotels.

They also advised residents and visitors to stay away from Esplanade Park, the Wharf and Capitola Beaches.

Resident Nikko Garner says he surfs there often but will stay away for now.

“It could be debris. You don’t know if there are still things from the wharf trying to get here. That’s why I wouldn’t do it,” Garner said.

Just south of Capitola, California State Parks also said it responded to a call around 11:30 a.m. A Santa Cruz County man was trapped under debris due to high surf in Watsonville. Bystanders rescued him, but he later died in hospital and his identity was not revealed.

As night fell, Capitola police evacuated the Venetian Hotel on Wharf Road.

Guest Dee Dee Vargas said she was in town for her mother’s funeral and had already decorated her room to spread Christmas cheer.

“It’s Christmas and I know what that means. I know everything will be okay,” Vargas said.

She was then told she had to evacuate and find somewhere else to live.

“First I was told it would be temporary, and now I’m told I have to find somewhere else to stay tonight and for who knows how long,” Vargas said.

The high surf warning is expected to last until midday Tuesday and closures and evacuations are expected to remain in place until the warning is lifted.

NewsSanta Cruz CountySevere WeatherWeather